Kimber vs Wilson Combat

[M47_Dragon]

You may never desire for the function and details a LB, Wilson or full custom will give you; to those that do, the value of the higher-cost pieces make their price tag baerable.

Just givin' props where props are due since nobody else mentioned it.

[wildhawker]

Just givin' props where props are due since nobody else mentioned it.

I wondered how long it would be until someone caught that.

[hkdad]

my custom kimber match jams like a mofo! piece of crap!

[hkdad]

It's like Astin Martin DB9s vs Corvette Z06.

what's wrong with a Z06? it's just a little bit faster than an aston...

[m1match]

Kimber- is for someone on a budget. They can be hit or miss.

Wilson is generally the best semi-custom 1911 available. The CQB is WC's best creation. Anything with a FULL LENGTH GUIDE ROD is "FLUFF."

Baer- is for the guy who still wares "Members Only" jackets, has hands like a baby's butt, and sports shiny leather slip on shoes... Baer has a niche with this market. If you look at a Baer catalogue you'll see 50 x 1911's that are identical but with different names(?) Never understood the Baer Mystique??? The guns aren't that nice and the slides and frames are probably made somewhere in Korea.

I'll jump in here one more time. I'd agree with the 1st one. On the 2nd, I'd say they are among the best, but Wilson makes many models of 1911s and if you don't like the full length guide rod, they'll build it without one.

On Baer, I only own one but I have to say it's built very well. For me, Baer's are too tight as they come from the factory. But the quality was there- I've seen one belonging to a now retired SDPD SWAT officer that had probably over 30,000 rounds through it and it was worn and beat up, but ran like a top. As for the frames and slides, I'd have to disagree- I've seen CT Brian customs that are probably absolutely the nicest custom 1911s that I've ever handled, and he builds them on Baer frames if he can.

I also own one Nighthawk, and it's build quality is as good as Wilson or Baer.

[JandJArmory]

Depends on the price your looking to pay. I have both and usally shoot my Nighthawk.

[Buddhabelly]

Depends on the price your looking to pay. I have both and usally shoot my Nighthawk.

Nighthawk FTW.

[tcb]

I own both a Kimber Pro carry HD and a Wilson CQB. They both shoot good and are very reliable. There is a huge difference to ME in the way the Wilson handles. The Kimber has not been shot since I have had the CQB. There is NOTHING wrong with it but when I take out a 1911 it's th CQB. The 1st time I handled mine the slide to frame fit felt like ice on ice. I really like the undercut triger guard (I wouldn't buy another 1911 without it) it really helps lock the grip into my hand. The folks there have been great with there service as well. They are way more $ than a Kimber but for a pistol that is built to last a lifetime it's not really a big deal to me.

Oh yea...My groups have gotten smaller and my times have gotten quicker shooting uspsa with the Wilson as well.

[Semperpluris]

In my experience, my one Wilson CQB, Nighthawks, and my full custom builds are reliable enough to run in multiday classes shooting hundreds of rounds a day without any jams.

I can't wait for the day I can say that. My current favorite handgun that I own is a moderately custom Wilsonized Colt 70. I have a bad case of gun envy for your guns though. I can't wait to say, "What 1911 should I take to the range today- my CQB, T3 or LB Ultimate Tactical?"

[SJgunguy24]

I love this debate. Get a kimber and send it to Novak.

BTW guess who makes all of Wilson Combat's frames?




Kimber

[grim1U]

I've owned a WC CQB and it was a nice gun. I don't prefer WC anymore for the simple reason that they are to Propitier with their components, sights, beaver tail, etc. I sold it for this reason alone as I couldn't adjust a really good platform to MY exact liking. Also, when I bought mine back in the day it was a $1600.00, now the price seems too steep for a semi-custom IMHO

I've owned a few Kimbers in the past, now I don't own any. I guess I was lucky because all of mine worked perfect, never a problem (all internal extractors). They were up to par quality wise and without bench rest shooting, I was just as accurate as with the Kimber as I was with the WC. I got rid of them because they are a dime a dozen and usually come with too many features that I don't care for or need/want. I'm a plain jain kind a guy when it comes to 1911's.

My money now is on Springfield and just going full custom. You start with a quality base gun and build for what you need, no more, no less.

[Sam]

Sjgunguy,
Why does it matter who makes Wilson frames?A company can make a great frame, but that has little to do with their ability to make a good final product.

Grim, what exactly can you not change to your liking on a Wilson?

[sholling]

BTW guess who makes all of Wilson Combat's frames?

Why would this matter in the least. Do you think Baer or Nighthawk mix pixie dust in their metal formulations? No one that I know of has ever accused Kimber of making poorly forged frames. More often they accuse Kimber of poorly fitted components and sometimes poorly finished components. I think it's a safe assumption that the frames are sent unfinished to Wilson for final machining and hand fitting.

BTW I just ordered my second Kimber today so I'm not a hater just a realist.

[grim1U]

Sjgunguy,
Why does it matter who makes Wilson frames?A company can make a great frame, but that has little to do with their ability to make a good final product.

Grim, what exactly can you not change to your liking on a Wilson?

I no longer have the Wilson, sold it. But, their slides sight cuts are propertier and I don't care for the WC sights (I can't pick them up fast for stress shooting, could just be me) and I don't like the WC beaver tale and that is also a propertier cut. And a few other things here and there.

It was a great product as far as form/function, but not exactly what "I" turned out to be looking for overall. You can hold a gun and admire it, but until you shoot a few 1000 rounds through it your really never 100% sure if it's exactly what you want.

I don't regret buying and selling it though, I learned everything I needed and what was just fluff "to me"

[Sam]

Fair enough. Although I was told the sight cuts were Novak cuts as I asked about switching the rears to something more sterile.